# C_2007205EN.01002801.xml

| 4.9.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 205/28 |
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4.9.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 205/28

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4885 — INEOS/NOVA/JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 205/12)

| 1. | On 24 August 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings INEOS (UK) and NOVA (Canada) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the newly established American JV and extend their earlier established European JV (which combines the European polystyrene activities of INEOS and NOVA), by way of transfer of assets from NOVA to the European JV (new assets of the European JV). |
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1.

On 24 August 2007, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings INEOS (UK) and NOVA (Canada) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the newly established American JV and extend their earlier established European JV (which combines the European polystyrene activities of INEOS and NOVA), by way of transfer of assets from NOVA to the European JV (new assets of the European JV).

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | INEOS: global manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and oil products, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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INEOS: global manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and oil products,

| — | NOVA: chemical company active in olefins/polyolefins and styrenics, |
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NOVA: chemical company active in olefins/polyolefins and styrenics,

| — | American JV: it is constituted of the contributions of INEOS' and NOVA's North American styrene and polystyrene operations and NOVA's thermoplastic resins business, |
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American JV: it is constituted of the contributions of INEOS' and NOVA's North American styrene and polystyrene operations and NOVA's thermoplastic resins business,

| — | New assets of the European JV: NOVA's European styrene and engineering thermoplastic resins business. |
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New assets of the European JV: NOVA's European styrene and engineering thermoplastic resins business.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4885 — INEOS/NOVA/JV to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4885 — INEOS/NOVA/JV to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

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